Spring contact device for window sashes



June 30, 1942. w. w. FABRY 2,288,077

SPRING CONTACT DEVICE FOR WINDQW SASHES Filed July 4, 1939 INVEN TOK.

l/W //I$l W fkbr BY M AT TO RN EY Patented June 30, 1942 zasaerz SPRINGCONTACT DEVICE FOR WINDOW SASHES Willis W. Fabry, South Pasadena, Calif.

Application July 4, 1939, Serial No. 282,766 1 Claim. (Cl. 292 17) Thisinvention relates to the blalancing of window sashes, and moreparticularly to devices adapted to be utilized with sashes that areguided for vertical movement in longitudinal grooves in a window frame.

Ordinarily such sashes are so arranged that their weights arecounterbalanced by sash weights or spring balances, located inappropriate recesses in the frame, and joined to the sashes by flexibleelements such as cords or metal cables. If the force of the spring isapproximately the same as the weight of the sash, a frictional restraintought to be provided against movement of the sash, to ensure that thesash will be retained in any adjusted position. It is one of the objectsof this invention to provide a spring contact device of this character,adapted to be supported on the sash, and yet offering no interferencewith the flexible element attached to the balancing device.

A spring device of this character serves not only to engage the framefrictionally, but also acts a a glider, the force of the spring deviceserving to restrain the sash against cocking action. It is accordinglyanother object of this invention to provide a spring device having thisgeneral function and of simple and inexpensive construction.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form inthe drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claim.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevation, illustrating a device incorporatingthe invention, in use in connection with a window sash, the window framebeing shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device incorporating the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along plane 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the device incorporating the invention.

The window sash l is shown in this instance as slidable vertically withrespect to a window frame 2. Thus for example the longitudinal edge 3 ofthe. window sash l is shown as disposed within the groove 4 formed inthe frame 2.

In order to balance the weight of the sash, use

is made of any appropriate sash balancing device 5 supported in thewindow frame, and having a flexible element 5. This element is connectedas by the aid of a hook 6 to an appropriate point adjacent the corner ofthe window sash. Element 5 may conveniently be in the form of a metalcable. The hook 6 is shown as being appropriately joined to the end ofthe cable 5.

In many installations, the sash is supported by a pair of sash balances,cooperating respectively with the lower opposite corners of the sash. Itis possible, however, to provide but one sash balance for each sash.This not only reduces the cost of the material entering into theinstallation, but also reduces the labor required. When for example onlythe lower right hand corner of the sash l is connected to a sashbalancing device, there are several features of operation that must betaken into account. These will now be described.

One of these features of operation is the tendency of the sash I tocock, so that one pair of oppositely diagonal corners would contact withthe bottom of the corresponding groove 4, This may interfere with theready raising and lowering of the window. Another effect is found whenthe single sash balance is so made that its force is sufficientsubstantially entirely to counterbalance the entire weight of the sash.Under such circumstances, any slight accidental jar or force may disturbthe setting of the window, and may cause it either to raise or lower.

By the aid of the present invention, a sufficient frictional force isprovided to restrain movement of the sash I, after it is placed in theadjusted position.

For this purpose use is made of spring pressure, as by the aid of aplurality of bowed springs I and 8 which are carried by the sash I nearits lower corner. These springs are so arranged as not to interfere withthe passage of the cable 5 downwardly to a place adjacent the lowercorner of the sash. These bowed springs 1 and 8 for this purpose eachhave a straight or fiat portion at their upper ends and are eachsupported as by the aid of a single rivet 9 adjacent the top edge of aplate ID. This plate l0 may be of sheet metal, adapted to be attached tothe longitudinal edge of the sash I. For example, at the top and bottomedges of the plate I0, inwardly directed points II and I2 may beintegrally 55 formed. These points may be driven into the wood frame ofthe sash l. The plate I0 is arranged adjacent the lower corner of thesash. The springs I and 8 have their outside edges substantiallycoincident with the outer longitudinal edges of the plate ID. Asufliciently wide intervening space is provided between the other edgesof the springs I and ID to permit the ready passage of the cable 5between them, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 3. The combinedstrength of the springs I and 8 is such as to produce the requiredfrictional restraint, and also to ensure that the sash I will remain insubstantially aligned position in the frame.

In order further to ensure that the cable 5 Will not interfere with thesprings 1 and 8, the sheet metal plate H! is shown as being providedwith the raised ridges l3, defining a groove centrally andlongitudinally of the plate [0. The cable 5 is accommodated within thisgroove. Each of ridges l3 engages the edge of the straight portion ofthe adjacent spring, I or 8; thus the springs are prevented from turningabout their supporting rivets 9 and are maintained substantiallyparallel with the ridges I3 as well as with the longitudinal edges ofplate Ill.

Preferably the width of the plate I0 is made about the same as the widthof the vertical edge of the sash I, as illustrated most clearly in Fig.3.

What is claimed is:

In a device of the character described, a base plate having provisionsfor attaching it to the edge of a window sash, and a pair of bowedsprings extending longitudinally of the plate, each of said springshaving a straight portion at one end, each of said straight portionsbeing secured to the plate, said plate having a pair of spaced ridgesextending substantially parallel with the longitudinal edges of theplate and defining a groove between the springs, each of said ridgesengaging the edge of one of said straight portions, whereby the springsare maintained substantially parallel with the ridges.

WILLIS W. FABRY.

